Project Spotlight: Embrace Living Communities
Renovations for senior wellbeing
One of WJW's major milestones in 2025 was the completion of our largest renovation project to date. In 2020 we embarked on a portfolio-wide renovation project with our client, Embrace Living Communities. This ambitious project included comprehensive renovations to 12 of their existing communities throughout the Chicagoland area. A total of 934 independent senior apartments, serving approximately 1,200 residents, were completely renovated. Common areas and exterior spaces also received extensive upgrades with a focus on health and wellness features. Using a standardized, yet flexible, approach to the design approach for both programming and product specifications, this very complex project instilled a consistent brand identity across all of the buildings while still honoring the individual differences at each existing community.
The overall renovation project was guided by a fundamental question: "Will this benefit the residents?" This resident-centered approach drove every design decision, from major spatial reconfigurations of common areas to the smallest details such as finish and fixture selections. Resident apartments were fully renovated to include new kitchens, bathrooms, light fixtures and finishes throughout. A strong emphasis was also place on improving accessibility throughout the apartments, most of which were originally constructed prior to accessibility laws being enacted. Accessible units now feature accessible cabinetry, space for mobility devices and turning radiuses along with new grab bars, handheld showers and accessible fixtures in order to better support those with mobility challenges.
The resident common areas at all of the buildings also underwent a significant transformation. At some buildings existing common areas were spacious but underutilized and not reflecting the interests and needs of current residents. Other buildings had minimal existing common space and the design team was challenged with finding other unused spaces and reconfiguring existing rooms to maximize space available for resident use. The client team had a strong focus on improving health and wellness for residents and as a result, each community now features a dedicated fitness room or area. Library rooms with dedicated computer stations, private video conference rooms and space for quiet activities are also now present at each community. These larger group activity areas are also complemented by a variety of smaller and more personalized spaces such as game rooms, hobby areas, and living room spaces that reflect the diverse interests within each individual community. The main entries at each building also underwent a significant transformation. The existing entries were unwelcoming and had an inconsistent identity. The new entries are warm and welcoming with an emphasis on reinforcing the Embrace Living brand identity.
Earlier this year Heidi, Martha Strong of Strong Design, and Trevor Jerusal of Stenstrom presented about this portfolio-wide renovation at the Environments for Aging Conference. In their session titled Rehabbing Affordable Housing for Longevity, they discussed the design goals and processes that made this project a success. Learn more about this project and their presentation here.
